Hibs’ on-loan Manchester City youngster Brandon Barker expecting Partick Thistle to be ‘fighting for their lives’ after Hamilton Accies ‘battle’

NEIL LENNON accused Hamilton Accies of trying to ‘kick the crap’ out of Hibs at the weekend – and Brandon Barker is predicting another almighty battle against Partick Thistle on Saturday.

Despite dominating for most of the match, the Easter Road outfit had to settle for a point against Accies, leaving Lennon to deliver his withering attack on referee Don Robertson’s handling of the match.

The Hibs boss accused the Lanarkshire side of ‘caveman stuff’ and of taking the game back to the 1950s with their tough-tackling approach in the 1-1 draw.

Danny Devine has already confessed the former Celtic manager’s moans were music to his ears, with the Thistle defender admitting the Jags could test Hibs’ mental resolve by getting physical again this weekend.

Barker in action for Manchester City (Pic: @cfcunofficial (Chelsea Debs))

But Barker insists the capital men are already steeling themselves for a scrap against the Premiership’s basement side.

The on-loan Manchester City winger said: “When you play against teams that are at the bottom, they’re normally the hardest games because they’re fighting for their lives.

“They’re a good squad and a good team, and we’ve just got to go and play our game.

“It’s another away game, which will be difficult as always.

“But we’re going to play the way we did on Saturday and hopefully this time get the three points.”

RUN

Barker has made a big impact on Hibs since moving north on a season-long loan in August.

The England under-20 cap has made 14 appearances and his pace and positive running have given defenders plenty of problems so far this season.

However, the youngster played more centrally against Accies and, having set up Simon Murray for Hibs’ goal, thrived on the new role.

He added to Hibs TV: “I was playing in the hole on Saturday, which is different for me.

“But I enjoyed it so much in there. The gaffer just told me to get on the ball and run. That’s just what I did.

“We just didn’t have the luck on our side on Saturday, but we had a great performance and we’ll take all the positives we can and go again next week.”